So it’s time to write your undergraduate dissertation and it feels mammoth? (Please note: I’m currently a literature student so this isn’t that great if you’re doing research)
I’ve added my own tips in the read more bit but feel free to add your own. And remember...
Okay, first things first, work out what you want to do. This sounds silly if you’ve got to the writing stage but have it written down. Make sure you have the following:
Primary texts (obvs a literature thing)
Critics (I really found reading critics and getting an idea of what people have previously discussed was really helpful for working out what my own argument was supposed to be)
Research questions/aims. What do you want to look at/argue. Dissertations may give you free range but you won’t have an argument if you don’t have research aims.
PLAN! I can’t hesitate to say this PLAN! Even if you’ve never planned before at least make sure you have a basic idea of what you want to write for each bit. I made a broad plan for what I wanted to discuss and then sorted those bits into a more detailed plan. The detailed plan included:
Textual quotes
Some analysis
Critics
I didn’t start writing until I’d looked through all my critics and texts. Obviously, this is up to the person and some people find it easier to get started straight away. I was quite lucky that I planned so much that my first chapter plan became my whole dissertation plan.
Keep writing! Believe in yourself. Also if you don’t feel like writing don’t force yourself. At the same time don’t leave it to the last minute.
Other Top Tips :)
Make use of your supervisor. I have been to see mine so much and he always makes my rubbish make so much sense.
It sounds hard to do so but don’t panic! It’s not as big as it seems at first.
Find reasons to enjoy what you’re doing. This is something you’re going to be working for a long time. If you hate it now, you’ll hate it even more the further you get into it.
Use dropbox! It’s so so good. You can access all your work in the same place and you won’t have to worry about it. (or any other form of backing up e.g. USB/emailing to yourself)
Make sure you have a dedicated folder on your laptop for your files.
Keep all your references in one place. Preferably, create a bibliography and add to it whenever you use a new critic.
